Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts

Whether you are thinking about your own future well-being or about protecting your family assets and loved ones after you’ve gone, it makes sense to plan ahead and leaves you safe in the knowledge that your family need not worry should the worst happen.

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Wills Probate Trust Page

How it works

5 Local Yorkshire Offices: Scarborough, Whitby, Driffield, Hunmanby, Bridlington

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CALL: 07723 007197

What we do

Our legal team's breadth and depth of knowledge is second to none
Make and update wills
Create lasting powers of attorney
Inheritance tax planning and trusts
Long term care planning
Disputes about wills, trusts or estates

Planning for the future

An up to date Will ensures your estate (your property, money and possessions) will pass to the right people while a Lasting Power of Attorney will make sure that people you trust can legally make decisions on your behalf about your finances, health and welfare.

We can also help you to protect any wealth you have accumulated via the use of Inheritance Tax planning and Trusts, helping you to look after your loved ones and plan for any long term care while ensuring there is a balance between tax efficiency and living your life in the way you want to.
We Will...
✓ Clearly explain legal issues
✓ Give you clear costings
✓ Provide regular updates
✓ Do everything in our power to support you from start to finish

Dealing with the death of a loved one

If you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one, we can support you through a difficult time by helping you to deal with the administration of the estate.

Unfortunately, a death can sometimes cause tension within the family. Disputes can arise if a family member has been left out of a Will when they feel that they should have been provided for. There can also be questions about the validity of a Will if there is a feeling that the Will does not meet certain legal conditions.

Our friendly and sympathetic team includes members of Solicitors for the Elderly, The Law Society Private Client Section and STEP (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners). We’re proud that all our staff receive Dementia Friends training. Whatever your situation, the team will help and support you with straightforward and practical advice that is tailored to your specific circumstances. We can even visit you at home if you are unable to come to us.

Wills Pricing
VAT is currently at 20%

Simple Will Cost
Single Will £275 + VAT
Mirror Image Wills (identical Wills drafted for two people at the same time) £450 + VAT
Statement of Exclusion of potential beneficiaries £60 + VAT
More Complex Wills Cost
Single Will From £400 + VAT
Mirror Image Wills From £575 + VAT
Our Will costs include taking your instructions, drafting the Will, having it executed and storing it in our secure strong room. 


Lasting Powers of Attorney Pricing

VAT is currently at 20%


One client making ONE type of LPA Cost
Create LPA only £250 + VAT
Separate registration with OPG £250 + VAT
Create and register LPA with OPG £450 + VAT
OPG fee £82
One client making BOTH types of LPA Cost
Create LPA only £400 + VAT
Separate registration with OPG £500 + VAT
Create and register with OPG £750 + VAT
OPG fee £164
Two clients making ONE type of LPA Cost
Create LPA only £400 + VAT
Separate registration with OPG £400 + VAT
Create and register LPA £750 + VAT
OPG fee £164
Two clients making BOTH type of LPA Cost
Create LPA only £750 + VAT
Separate registration with OPG £750 + VAT
Create and register with OPG £1,100 + VAT
OPG fee £328


* Extra charges may apply if we have to obtain numerous Attorneys' execution to the document *


Estate Pricing



VAT is currently at 20%

Estates Cost
Initial Meeting for advice £150 + VAT
Obtaining a Grant of Probate (where you deal with the remainder of the Estate) From £875 + VAT

Dealing with a simple estate

Our work would include applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, collecting in the assets, drafting estate accounts and distributing them.  We can also pay any Inheritance tax that may be due.

Our work is charged at an hourly rate:
Provided by: Hourly Rate
Senior Private Client solicitor £240 + VAT
Private Client solicitor £210 + VAT
Private Client paralegal £165 + VAT

A Simple Estate generally costs in the region of £2,000 plus VAT plus disbursements but costs can reach £5,000 plus VAT plus disbursements if, for example, there are multiple beneficiaries and multiple bank accounts. On average a simple Estate can take approximately 18 months to complete. Disbursements are costs that relate to your matter that are payable to third parties. Standard disbursements include:

Work Cost
Probate Application Fee £273
Bankruptcy searches (per beneficiary) £2 + VAT

Dealing with a Complex Estate or an Estate where Pinkney Grunwells Lawyers LLP are Executors.


Our work would include applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of  Administration, collecting in the assets, drafting estate accounts and distributing them. We will also pay any IHT that may be due.


Our work is charged at the same hourly rates outlined above  Fees for a complex Estate generally begin in the region of £5,000 plus VAT plus disbursements but can increase significantly if, for example, there are a large number of assets or where another legal jurisdiction is involved.  Our fees are based on the chargeable time spent in dealing with the Estate plus an additional 1% value factor in certain circumstances, you would be notified of this if applicable. 


If there is no Will , or if the estate consists of any shareholdings, there are likely to be  additional costs that could range considerably depending on how the estate is to be dealt with. It should also be noted that the costs of any sale or transfer of any property are not included.  We can advise you of the potential costs relating to your particular matter once we have full instructions from you. On average a complex Estate can take between 18 months to 3 years complete. 


Disbursements are costs  that relate to your matter that are payable to third parties. Standard disbursements would be those outlined above.

Associated articles and case studies

By Kim Boynton 28 Jul, 2021
What is probate, when is it needed and what is involved? Probate is the word normally used to describe the legal and financial processes involved in dealing with the property, money and possessions, known as assets, of a person who has died. Before the next of kin or Executor named in the Will can claim, transfer, sell or distribute any of the deceased's assets they may have to apply for Probate. When Probate has been granted through a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration the next of kin or Executor can start to deal with the deceased’s assets in accordance with their Will. When is probate needed? Probate is usually needed in England or Wales when: The person who died owned property or land A bank or other financial institution asks for a grant of probate or grant of letters of administration (also known as grant of representation) Do I need probate if there is a will? The need for probate doesn't depend on whether there's a will, it depends on the financial position of the deceased. The process is very similar regardless of whether there's a will or not, but some of the terminology is different. If there is a will and probate is needed then the executor needs apply for a grant of probate. If there is no will, then the administrator will need to apply for a grant of letters of administration. Do I need probate if my husband/wife/civil partner dies? It depends on how the assets were owned. Many couples own their home as joint tenants and have joint bank accounts, meaning probate wouldn't be required. But probate could be needed for any large assets owned in the deceased's sole name, or a property owned as tenants in common. What is involved with obtaining a Grant of Probate? The first step is to identify all the assets (property, land, bank accounts etc.) of the deceased and any liabilities (debts including loans, mortgages, utility bills etc.) this then enable you to value the estate. Identify any entitlement to the estate under the terms of the Will or under Intestacy Laws if there was no Will. Apply to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Representation, being a document confirming the legal authority to administer the Estate. Submit an Inheritance Tax Return whether there is Tax due or not and where applicable pay Inheritance Tax to HMRC. Once the Grant of Representation has been issued by the Probate Registry, liquidating (selling) the deceased’s assets, settling their liabilities, paying the final Estate administration expenses and accounting to HMRC for any further Inheritance Tax, any Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax due to or from the Estate can begin. You will need to prepare the Estate accounts, documenting all payments into and out of the Estate and showing the balance left for distribution to the beneficiaries. These Estate accounts need to then be sent to Personal Representatives (such as the Executor in the Will) for approval. Providing there are no challenges to the Estate or other complicating factors preventing distribution at this stage, the final stage involves transferring any assets and distributing the balance of the Estate in accordance with the terms of the deceased’s Will or Intestacy laws. How can we help? Our experienced Wills and Probate team are able to deal with all aspects of obtaining a Grant of Probate, dealing with the Tax, Legal, and administrative affairs. We will work with the executors to get the estate wound up and distributed to beneficiaries as efficiently as possible.
By Kim Boynton 29 Apr, 2021
Making a Will with a professional is the best way to ensure your money, property and belongings are distributed as you wish following your death. People are able to leave their estate to whomsoever they choose, however, disputes can arise if the deceased did not leave a Will or in some cases where a valid Will exists.
By Kim Boynton 18 Mar, 2021
At what is already a difficult time, finding out what to do when someone dies can be overwhelming. This blog aims to help you understand your legal responsibilities following a death.
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